Ross Cockrell at the Midpoint of Training Camp

@ChrisBrownBills: Ross Cockrell probably had defensive play of day for #Bills. On a deep pass play Cockrell tipped pass, gathered himself & made INT off tip.

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That's the sort of thing I've gotten used to reading about Ross Cockrell once a week - he's been flashing all camp.

Cockrell has the skills to get it done at an NFL level. If the Donnie Henderson can coach him into getting it done consistently (and if there's any Bills positional coach I believe in, it's Donnie Henderson), I think this kid will end up being one of our better late-round steals since Kyle Williams. I'm not saying I believe he's a guaranteed Richard Sherman, but I think Whaley has set up the Bills to have a strong defensive backfield for the next half decade. As McKelvin and Graham reach their 30's we can transition to into one of the best secondaries in the NFL with veterans Stephon Gilmore and Aaron Williams leading up a talented group including Ross Cockrell and Nickell Robey.

Was he the corner that shutdown Mike Evans in the bowl game---a game Evans was clearly frustrated during that at one point Jonny Football got in his face to try and fire him up--I think it was after A&M scored a TD.

@ChrisBrownBills: Ross Cockrell probably had defensive play of day for #Bills. On a deep pass play Cockrell tipped pass, gathered himself & made INT off tip.

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That's the sort of thing I've gotten used to reading about Ross Cockrell once a week - he's been flashing all camp.

Cockrell has the skills to get it done at an NFL level. If the Donnie Henderson can coach him into getting it done consistently (and if there's any Bills positional coach I believe in, it's Donnie Henderson), I think this kid will end up being one of our better late-round steals since Kyle Williams. I'm not saying I believe he's a guaranteed Richard Sherman, but I think Whaley has set up the Bills to have a strong defensive backfield for the next half decade. As McKelvin and Graham reach their 30's we can transition to into one of the best secondaries in the NFL with veterans Stephon Gilmore and Aaron Williams leading up a talented group including Ross Cockrell and Nickell Robey.

I love the way Doug Whaley is building the team.

I also love what Donnie Henderson has done in (seemingly) greatly improving McKelvin, Aaron Williams, and the other DBs.

I imagine Ross Cockrell will benefit from that great coaching and become a capable CB for us.

Was he the corner that shutdown Mike Evans in the bowl game---a game Evans was clearly frustrated during that at one point Jonny Football got in his face to try and fire him up--I think it was after A&M scored a TD.

But yea, I agree. Im excited about this kid.

Yep, that was him. In a 52-48 game in which there were 13 TDs, Evans had none, and caught 4-72 against Cockrell.

I liked the pick a great deal. I do think it's fortunate that he has two very good corners ahead of him as he develops (4th round pick after all) but he has the size that Ron Brooks lacks, and I can possibly see him moving to FS if need be. All in all, I am very happy with the pick right now.

Even more impressive is Cockrell will at best be the 5th CB this year and maybe even 6th if they keep Brooks.

I still have major concerns with Gilmore though

You can't put much into the Wonderlic as most of these guys prob don't take it seriously and just want to get it over with.

I'm concerned about both starting corner back positions. These new rule changes hurt them, especially Gilmore with his physical style of play.

****, at the rate the NFL is going with the way they want "big, explosive plays" there won't even be a corner back position in a few years. It's really getting stupid, why continue to fix something that isn't broke?